Rail Controller

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department Salary: $77,358.00 - $111,201.54 Commensurate with Experience Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service. This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region. Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs. The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it. SUMMARY Rail Controllers monitor, manage, and control all scheduled revenue service, special train movements, special events, and activities along the rail right of way. This is a professional traffic management position of a difficult nature, requiring extensive supervisory skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment during highly stressful situations. The Rail Controller must be able to multi-task, communicate in writing, and verbally provide instructions in a clear and concise manner. Adherence to rules/policies and procedures while exercising independent judgment is required in solving rail service issues and during rail emergencies. Start-up experience, including railcar commissioning, test track operations, system integration, control center procedures, and pre-revenue service, is desirable. This position reports to the Rail Controller Managers in Rail Transportation. This is a security and safety-sensitive position. This position comes with various benefits. Candidates will be required to complete and pass all CATS controller training and standardized tests. The candidate for this position must have the flexibility to work various scheduled shifts on a consistent basis. The Rail Control Center is a 24/7 operation, and you would be an essential employee required to work extended hours, including holidays and weekends, with various days off. Job Description Major Duties and Responsibilities Ensures the light rail system is safe and efficient by performing duties safely and complying with all applicable rules, laws, regulations, and procedures. Be knowledgeable of all emergency response and recovery procedures. Maintains two-way radio communications with LRT operators, Field Supervisors, Maintenance, and other personnel under FCC regulations during test and start-up operations and revenue/non-revenue service operations. Coordinates and manages red tag and supervisory power outages when personnel and contractors work on or near the right-of-way. Coordinates the removal and sectionalization of traction power by remotely operating traction power substation breakers and catenary sectionalization switches. Monitors train and on-track equipment movement on the mainline and rail yards, including revenue and non-revenue trains, test trains, student training, and special event trains. Adjust service levels and headways as indicated by operating conditions and passenger loads. Completes forms, incident reports, and maintains records and documents. Directly support continuous implementation and compliance of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) State Safety Oversight Program Standards (SSOPS) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations 49 CFR Part 673 and 672 related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and the CATS Agency Safety Plan (ASP). Support the safety performance goals of CATS. Encourage employees to proactively support and report safety concerns following the CATS Safety Reporting options described in your training and the ASP. As part of your responsibility to support the CATS Safety Culture, report safety concerns and issues through the various methods established by CATS as outlined in the ASP. Advocate and promote a strong safety culture within CATS regarding transportation services, capital programs, facility operations and maintenance, worksite procedures, employees, and customers following SMS and ASP. Participate in internal and external ASP audits. Performs related duties as required. ESSENTIAL DUTIES NOTE: Essential Duties are skills and abilities that candidates must be able to perform within their required scope of responsibilities. Candidate must be available to work irregular hours and shifts depending upon the business needs of CATS. Must complete a 6-month probationary period. Demonstrate extensive supervisory skills and sound judgment always required of Rail Controllers. Be able to communicate effectively and clearly in English orally and in writing. Must accurately document work on logs, spreadsheets, documents, and forms and utilize SCADA and CCTV technology, laptops, and handheld computers. Must be computer literate and can adapt to the use and understanding of existing software and future upgrades. Must complete all training assignments with passing scores and maintain qualifications. Candidate must be able to initiate troubleshooting procedures while simultaneously coordinating service restoration and continuation efforts and implement strategies as required to minimize delays. Must have and must maintain a valid driver's license. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Candidates must pass a phone screening interview and a computer-based entry test to demonstrate knowledge about the areas listed under responsibilities to be considered for the formal interview process. Understanding of the Policies and Procedures of CATS and working knowledge of Light Rail Operations Policy and Procedures related to CATS light rail vehicles and operators. Light Rail Operations schedule. Organize work and set priorities. Make accurate time calculations. Keep legible and accurate records. Work independently. Multi-tasking skills Thorough knowledge and proficiency in Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitions (SCADA) systems. Proficiency in energizing/de-energizing the traction power system and signal and switch commands via SCADA. Operate computer terminals and systems, including common software programs and a computerized dispatch system. Physical Requirements: Operate a two-way radio, public address system, variable message boards, camera system, and emergency notification messaging system. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with internal and external departments. Sensory Requirements: Speech Touch Hearing Vision – 20/20 or correctable to 20/20 (near, distance, and peripheral) Must be able to work while in a seated position for extended periods. Preferred Qualification Associate degree and three years of rail traffic controller/dispatcher experience using SCADA technology. Minimum Qualifications High school graduation or equivalent and five years of relevant work experience OR Associate's Degree and three years of relevant work experience CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check. Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports. Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments. The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior. Our culture is to serve the community honorably. HOW TO APPLY Apply online. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays. For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120. BENEFITS The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits. The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.